Interactive Visualization for Deep Organizational data

During the last decade, there has been a growing interest in investigating how and why people use organizational data to solve problems, make decisions, and perform other cognitive activities, especially in the social network, healthcare, and education domains. Working with organizational data is challenging because of the complex and multi-structured nature of it. One way to support cognitive activities with organizational data is through the use of interactive visualization tools that provide different representations and mechanisms for interacting with deep layers of the data. In this research, we have deep organizational data which is mainly about collaborations inside universities. The thesis goal is making an interactive visualization tool to support complex cognitive activities with this database. The generated visualization tool has an expandable and reusable structure as well as innovative representations and interactions designed to allow navigating through the data intuitively

Estimation and Validation of Post-Peak Behavior of Hard Rocks

RÉSUMÉ Travailler en profondeur sous terre peut générer des situations dangereuses. Des précautions particulières doivent être prises lors de la phase de conception et d'exploitation. La rupture fragile du massif rocheux (coup de terrain) est l'un des instabilités qui peut se produire dans les roches dures ayant une faible porosité à cause de la concentration de contrainte élevée. Il est important de prévoir le comportement du massif rocheux lié à la phase post-pic lors de ruptures. La compréhension du comportement post-pic et le comportement en cisaillement d'un plan de rupture induite sous une condition de limite de chargement particulier est cruciale pour réduire les risques. Jusqu'ici, de nombreuses recherches ont été menées sur la surveillance sismique des excavations souterraines en situation potentielle de coups de terrain. Par ailleurs, quelques méthodes de prévision des coups de terrain ont été proposées basée sur les mathématiques logiques. La solution analytique est également l'une des approches fiables basées sur les travaux expérimentaux dans lesquels les propriétés mécaniques de la roche intacte et des fractures sont prises en compte. L'objectif principal de cette thèse est de prédire la courbe post-pic de roches dures en utilisant des essais de compression triaxiale et de cisaillement direct et la caractérisation des fractures en utilisant le modèle CSDS (Simon, 1999) et l'approche proposée par Simon et al. (2003). Les résultats de la caractérisation de la surface de rupture montrent que comment les différents modes de chargement affectent les paramètres de rugosité des fractures. Les résultats indiquent également la variation de la rugosité de la surface de rupture avec la contrainte de confinement appliquée. La rugosité sur chaque surface de rupture indique la variation de la rugosité dans les échantillons en fonction de la distribution des contraintes La variation de la rugosité de la surface de rupture à la traction induite par l'essai Brésilien dévoile un effet combiné de la direction de chargement, la taille du grain, et le rapport L/D sur la valeur de la rugosité. Il est démontré que les profils de rugosité parallèles et perpendiculaires à la direction de chargement ont une variation de la rugosité distincte. Une nouvelle méthode de chargement appelée « chargement en dommage-contrôlé cyclique » proposée permet d'obtenir la courbe post-pic des roches dures, en utilisant une procédure spécifique. Les courbes complètes de contrainte-déformation de deux roches dures ont été obtenues par cette méthode Les résultats montrent que l'énergie élastique accumulée dans les échantillons en utilisant cette nouvelle procédure est moindre et comment la procédure influe sur la configuration de fracturation. Une approche existante basée sur le modèle constitutif CSDS pour les joints de roche a également été vérifiée afin d'estimer le comportement post-pic de roches dures. Il est démontré que cette approche est capable d'estimer les propriétés du modèle requis en utilisant les essais de compression triaxiale et de cisaillement direct et la caractérisation de la surface de rupture----------ABSTRACT Working in deep underground opening is often accompanied by hazardous situations. Special care must be taken in the design and operation phase. Brittle fracturing of the rock mass (rockburst) is one of instabilities that occurs in hard rocks with low porosity due to high stress concentration. It is important to predict the rockburst behaviour that corresponds to the post-peak phase. Understanding of the post-peak behaviour and the shear behaviour of an induced failure plane under a particular loading boundary condition is a critical issue in order to prevent risks. To date, many researches have been conducted on the seismic monitoring of deep underground openings. Also, a few rockburst prediction methods have been proposed based on logical mathematics. Analytical solution is also one of the reliable approaches based on the experimental works in which the mechanical properties of both intact rock and fracture surface are taken into account. The main objective of this thesis was to predict the post-peak curve of hard rocks using triaxial and direct shear tests and rock surface characterization by using the CSDS model (Simon, 1999) and the proposed approach by Simon et al. (2003). The results of fracture surface characterization show how different loading modes affect the roughness parameters of the fractures. The results also indicate the variation of the fracture roughness with the applied confining stress. The roughness on each fracture surface indicates the roughness variation in the samples due to the stress distribution. Roughness variation of the tensile fractures induced by Brazilian tests reveals a combined effect of the loading direction, grain size, and the L/D ratio on the roughness value. It is shown that the roughness profiles parallel and perpendicular to the loading direction have a unique roughness variation. A new proposed damage-controlled cyclic method is used to obtain the post-peak curve of hard rocks using a specific procedure. The complete stress-strain curves of two hard rocks were obtained by this method. The results show that the elastic energy accumulated in the specimens using this new procedure is lower and that the procedure influences the fracturing pattern. An existing approach based on the CSDS constitutive model for rock joints was also verified in order to estimate the post-peak behaviour of hard rocks. It is shown that this approach is able to estimate the required model properties using triaxial compression and direct shear tests and the surface characterization

Customer knowledge management antecedent factors for enterprise software quality

Customer Knowledge Management (CKM) plays an important role in the production of high quality software products. Previous studies have only focused on the technical aspects of software quality. However, because of the nature of enterprise software, there is a greater dependence on CKM for customization, enhancement, maintenance, and training. As CKM in Enterprise Software (ES) development is still immature, this raises questions on how CKM can help ES development companies to improve their software quality. In this research, Knowledge-Based View (KBV) and Theory of Technology were used to demonstrate the Organizational, Human, and Technological antecedent factors that enable the CKM process and lead to ES quality. Human, Organizational and Technological CKM antecedent factors were identified from the literature. The importance degree of each factor was determined by experts from ES development companies using Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Moreover, based on high priority factors, a theoretical model was developed. The proposed model was evaluated by distributing a survey questionnaire to decision-makers in ES development companies. With 164 valid questionnaires received, the collected data was analyzed using the Partial Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) technique. The results show that Customer Involvement together with Senior Management Support were the most influential factors. There was no impact from Organizational Training, Customer Knowledge Map, and CKM Strategy Development. The results revealed that the impact of CKM on software quality is significant. The model developed in this research can be used as a guideline for the successful application of CKM in enterprise software development companies to improve the software quality

The Role of Shared Leadership and Communication in Promoting Strategic Consensus and Performance

The current study aims to investigate the effect of strategic consensus among managers on organizational performance, with an emphasis on shared leadership and communications in Iranian knowledge-intensive firms. Since Iran has its unique cultural characteristics with favoring a more authoritarian attribute, and leadership in knowledge-intensive firms has a more shared style, the context of the study is more appealing to such relationships. Data were collected from 115 randomly selected knowledge-intensive firms and analyzed using structural equation modeling by LISREL. Findings show that shared leadership positively influences strategic consensus of the management team, but it does not have a direct effect on performance. Also, communication among managers increases their strategic consensus which in turn positively affects firm performance. The findings act as a guideline for managers and suggest them to broaden the scope and the content of consensus and also for more effective decision-making and improved performance

Is There Daily Growth Hysteresis versus Vapor Pressure Deficit in Cherry Fruit?

The growth of cherry fruit is generally described using a double sigmoid model, divided into four growth stages. Abiotic factors are considered to be significant components in modifying fruit growth, and among these, the vapor pressure deficit (VPD) is deemed the most effective. In this study, we investigated sweet cherry fruit growth through the continuous, hourly monitoring of fruit transversal diameter over two consecutive years (2019 and 2020), from the beginning of the third stage to maturation (forth stage). Extensometers were used in the field and VPD was calculated from weather data. The fruit growth pattern up to the end of the third stage demonstrated three critical steps during non-rainy days: shrinkage, stabilization and expansion. In the third stage of fruit growth, a partial clockwise hysteresis curve of circadian growth, as a response to VPD, appeared on random days. The pattern of fruit growth during rainy days was not distinctive, but the amount and duration of rain caused a consequent decrease in the VPD and indirectly boosted fruit growth. At the beginning of the fourth stage, the circadian growth changed and the daily transversal diameter vs VPD formed fully clockwise hysteresis curves for most of this stage. Our findings indicate that hysteresis can be employed to evaluate the initial phenological phase of fruit maturation, as a fully clockwise hysteresis curve was observable only in the fourth stage of fruit growth. There are additional opportunities for its use in the management of fruit production, such as in precision fruit farming

Cytochrome P450 2C19 Polymorphism in Iranian Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

<p><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> The polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) gene are major prognostic factors for the response to clopidogrel therapy in patients with coronary artery diseases (CAD). The CYP2C19*2 is the most important allele responsible for resistance to clopidogrel therapy. This study examined CYP2C19 gene polymorphism (CYP2C19*1 and *2) in Iranian patients.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>METHODS:</strong> This cross-sectional study was performed on 43 Iranian patients with CAD who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and received drug-eluted stents (DES). CYP2C19 polymorphisms were assessed using real time PCR and frequency of CYP2C19*1 and CYP2C19*2 were determined, and then homo- or heterozygous state of genes was detected by Melt Curve Analysis method.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Forty three patients (mean age = 58.8 &plusmn; 10.0 years, 79.1% male) participated in this study. CYP2C19*1/CYP2C19*1 genotype was observed in 31 (72.1%) of participates, CYP2C19*1/CYP2C19*2 genotype in 10 (23.3%), and CYP2C19*2/CYP2C19*2 genotype in 2 patients (4.7%). The frequency of CYP2C19*2 allele in the sample was 27.9%.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> This study demonstrated a high prevalence of CYP2C19*2 gene polymorphism in Iranian patients. Further studies with larger samples or longitudinal are required to determine the effects of this polymorphism on the prognosis of CAD patients in our population.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Keywords:</strong> CYP2C19, Polymorphism, Clopidogrel, Coronary Artery Disease, Iran.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p

Sex based levels of C-reactive protein and white blood cell count in subjects with metabolic syndrome: Isfahan Healthy Heart Program

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) are proinflammatory markers. They are major pathophysiological for the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to address the independent associations between MetS and WBC counts and serum CRP levels and evaluation of their magnitude in relation to the MetS, based on the sex in the Iranian adults. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, subjects who met the MetS criteria, based on the Adult Treatment Panel III were selected from the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program database. A questionnaire containing the demographic data, weight, height, waist, and hip circumference of the respondents was completed for each person. Blood pressure was measured and the anthropometric measurements were done, and fasting blood samples were taken for 2 h postload plasma glucose (2 hpp). Serum total, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein] levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, and CRP as well as WBC counts were determined. The univariate analyses were carried out to assess the relation between the CRP levels, WBC counts with the MetS in both sexes the. Results: In men with the abdominal obesity, the higher levels of WBC count, high serum triglyceride and blood glucose levels, a low serum HDL level, and raised systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed. However, the higher serum CRP levels were only observed in those with the low serum HDL-cholesterol levels. The mean values of the WBC counts were statistically different between the men with and without MetS, but the mean values of the CRP levels were similar between the two groups. In women, the mean values of WBC count and CRP levels were statistically different in the subjects with and without a MetS components (except for the low serum HDL levels and high diastolic blood pressure for the WBC measures and abdominal obesity for the CRP measures) and for those with and without MetS. The age and smoking adjusted changes in the CRP levels and WBC counts correlated with the number of Mets components in the women. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest substantial implications for the prevention and management of the MetS and atherosclerotic diseases, as these involve the suppression of inflammatory conditions rather than the incitement of anti-inflammatory conditions

Pd@WO3-Graphene as an Effective Visible-Light Photocatalyst for Degradation of Acid-Blue-92 Textile Dye

The fast growth of technology along with the expansion of industries has exacerbated environmental pollution. The diversity and broad application of various chemicals in the textile and agriculture industries, and eventually, the release of wastewater of such activities into the environment is a severe threat for aquatic ecosystems. Advanced oxidation methods based on the production of active species, such as hydroxyl radicals, nonselectively destroy a wide range of contaminants. Among the advanced oxidation methods, heterogeneous photocatalysts using semiconductors attracted a great deal of interest. In this project, Pd doped WO3 nanoribbons on a graphene substrate were prepared via the hydrothermal method and were used as photocatalysts to degrade a textile dye (Acid Blue 92). The effect of Pd and graphene incorporation on the surface properties, morphology, and photocatalytic activity of WO3 nanoribbons was investigated using XRD, BET, SEM, FTIR, DRS, and XPS techniques. The BET results demonstrated that the synthesis of WO3 nanoribbons on graphene oxide substrate and the reduction of obtained photocatalyst in the H2 atmosphere increased the surface area of the photocatalyst up to twice its normal size. In the next step, the ability of the photocatalyst to degrade blue-acid 92 textile dye in the presence of visible light was investigated and the degradation rate was calculated. The results confirmed that the reduced nanocomposite in the presence of H2 atmosphere in comparison with other samples has the highest dye degradation rate of 9×10-3min-1 with an efficiency of 60%. This nanocomposite, with its high surface area, facilitates the adsorption of dye-molecules on the active sites of the surface, thus greatly increasing the rate of degradation of the contaminant adsorbed on the photocatalyst surface. Eventually, different kinetic models were applied to investigate the reaction kinetics, and in each case, the correlation coefficient was calculated. The results of correlating the experimental data with the kinetics equations depicted that the dye degradation kinetics according to the Langmuir-Hinschlod model has a quasi-first-order mechanism

A TAXONOMY OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT OUTCOMES FOR SMES

The purpose of this paper is to systematically analyze the knowledge management research within small and medium-sized companies. The study includes a systematic review of 30 peer reviewed papers on knowledge management advantages for SMEs. Balanced scorecard perspectives cover all aspects of the organization, and, consequently, the balanced scorecard approach has been applied to classify the KM benefits. The reviewed scientific studies highlight the benefits of knowledge management in the areas of economic and social perspective (increased profits, flexibility, product reputation, financial performance), commercial and customers perspective (market share, sales growth, customer satisfaction, good external relationship), internal business processes perspective (operational performance, increased productivity, product/service quality, process improvement) and organizational learning and growth perspective (employee development, innovation, organizational creativity, learning).For future studies, determining stakeholder views is recommended in order to gain sustainable competitive advantage

Effect of Field of View and Resolution in Detection of Horizontal Root Fractures in CBCT images: An In Vitro Study

Introduction: New cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) devices are capable of imaging with different resolutions and field of views (FOVs), in which higher resolutions and FOVs impose a higher dose to the patient. This study was an attempt to investigate the detection accuracy from different FOVs and resolutions in detection of horizontal root fractures.  Methods and Materials: Through this experimental study, in five different field of views (FOV) and resolutions (voxel size) of New Tom VGi CBCT (Italy) system was used to scan fifty teeth with horizontal root fractures in half of them. The images were evaluated by four observers (two maxillofacial radiologists and two general dentists) who recorded the presence or absence of horizontal root fractures. The data were analyzed by SPSS 22 software and MacNemar and kappa test were used to compare results with reality. Results: The highest sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy (AZ) were attributed to 8×8 FOV and high resolutions (0.125 mm voxel size) but the difference between sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV was not significant. Kappa values for inter-observer agreement between radiologists and general dentists and also intra-observer agreement were in excellent ranges. The highest Kappa in both cases was attributed to 8×8 FOV and high resolutions. Conclusion: There was no significant difference to diagnose of horizontal root fracture between two observer groups and for all of the FOVs and voxel sizes. Keywords: Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Field of View; Horizontal Root Fracture